Issue 51 - Environmental Destruction Summary - October 1998

Issue 51 - Environmental Destruction Summary - October 1998

Dam Construction Plan in the Habitat of Blakiston's Fish Owl
In an area of northern Hokkaido where the rare raptor Blakiston's Fish Owl inhabits, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Hokkaido Development Bureau are planning to construct a small agricultural dam. This dam construction poses a significant threat to the owl's habitat, raising concerns about the potential disruption of the local ecosystem. The National Environmental Protection Federation has demanded an immediate halt to the project and an urgent survey of the owl's habitat.

Ecological Destruction by the South Asian Mongoose
The South Asian mongoose, introduced as an exotic species to Amami Oshima, has deviated from its original purpose of controlling habu snakes and is preying on rare native species such as the Amami rabbit and the Lidth's jay. This has caused catastrophic damage to the local ecosystem, leading to a sharp decline in the population of these rare species in certain areas. Immediate measures are needed to protect the ecosystem.

Small Incinerators and the Dioxin Issue
Small incinerators operating across the country are efficient in waste disposal, but if not properly managed, they pose a risk of emitting large amounts of dioxins. Particularly in older facilities, cases have been reported where dioxin concentrations exceed environmental standards, potentially causing serious health and environmental impacts. Local governments are currently working on the introduction of new technologies, updating or discontinuing incinerators to address this issue.

Expansion of the Ozone Hole
According to the Japan Meteorological Agency's analysis, the ozone hole over Antarctica in 1998 reached a record size, covering an area of 27.24 million square kilometers. The destruction of the ozone layer leads to an increase in global ultraviolet radiation, adversely affecting human health and causing significant harm to marine and terrestrial ecosystems. In particular, the decline in plankton around Antarctica is impacting the entire food chain, raising concerns about a loss of biodiversity.